Automobile lock



May 27, 1924.

C. H. NEIMYER ET AL AUTOMOBILE LOCK Filed July 26. 1923 2 gm INVENTORSI-BY WW4, 93%

A TTORNEY.

Patented May 27, 1924.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE H. NEIMYEB AND VAUGHN S. GETTS, OF ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA.

AUTOMOBILE LOCK.

Application filed July 26,

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that we, CLARENCE H. NEI- MYER and VAUGHN S. Gnrrs, citizensof the United States of America, residing both at' St. Petersburg,county of Pinellas, State of Florida, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Automobile Locks, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention'relates to improvements in combination locks. Moreparticularly it relates to a lock for use in connection with motorvehicles for the purpose of opening or closing the electric circuitwhich con trols the ignition of the vaporous change.

An object of the invention is to provide a combination lock which willprevent an unauthorized person from starting the car.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide an electric make andbreak device which cannot be operated unless the combination is set orarranged at a definite position which position is known only to theauthor ized person.

Broadly my invention comprises a series of discs which are designed tobe rotated or operated by the knob of the lock and when the discs arelocated in a definite position the switch may then be operated to eitheropen or close the electric circuit which may be either the ignition orprimary circuit.

Referring to the drawings which form a part of the presentspecification.

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view'ot the graduated or dial end of the100;.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 2'2 of Fig. 1showing the interior construction and with the retaining roller in oneposition. i

Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 2 showing the retaining roller and thespring for actuating the same.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the spring actuated slidable roller retainingdevice.

Fig. 5 is an end view of Fig. 1 substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but.

taken on a plane that is at right angles to that shown in Fig. 2.

Figs. 7,8 and 9 are detail views of the discs which make up thecombination of the lock.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the graduated fixed member of the lock.

Fig. 11 is an end view of the same and Figs. 12 and 13 are detail viewsof the 1923. Serial No. 653,881.

contact elements which are operated by the knob.

Referring to the drawings in detail:

1 designates the enclosing casing to which thefixed index dial 2 isattached by the screws 3. 1 is a cup-shaped casing which is releasablyconnected to the casing 1 by means of the threaded bolts 5. The casings1 and 4; have their meeting inner ends covered with the flange 6 whichis soldered or brazed to thecasing 4:. 7 is a threaded stud forattaching the whole to a suitable support of the motor vehicle. 8designates aknob or operating handle, which is provided with an inwardlyextending tubular member 9 that is formed with a thread 10 on its innerend to receive the disk retaining nut 11. The tubular member 9 is keyedto the rotatable graduated dial 12, which when it is turned by the knob8 registers with the zero line 18 on the fixed index dial 2 (see Fig.1). Attached to the knob 8 is the shaft 14 by means of the threads 15.This shaft is formed with a spline 14: to receive the stud, or pin 16,on the inside of tubular member 9 whereby when the knob is rotated theshaft 14 will turn the tubular member 9 and this, in turn, will rotatethe graduated dial 12 into the desired position.

Located on the tubular member 9 is a i sleeve 17 which is formed with aflange 18, by means-of which this sleeve is attached to the end 1 of thecasing 1 by means of the screws 19. This sleeve is therefore, retainedin a fixed position. This sleeve is provided with the two threadedshouldered portions 20 and '21, while 22 and 23 designates unthreadedportions of the sleeve 17. 24 designates an unthreaded shoulderedportion of the tubular member 9. Rotat-ably and loosely mounted on thetwo unthreaded portions 22 and 23 are the discs 25 and 26. They arespaced from each other by means of the internally threaded washer-likeparts 27 and 28, which are threaded onto the threads 20 and 21. The disc29 is formed with teeth 30 which are designed to receive the spur 31 onthe tubular member 9. By means of these teeth and the spur, it will beseen that the disc 29 may be attached to the rotatable tubular member inany one of the different angular positions represented by the number ofrecesses between the teeth 30. The combination can therefore be readilychanged as desired;

onto the sleeve; then the disk 29 is placed on the sleeve 17 in anydesired position by having the spur 31 enter any one of the re- L cessesbetween the teeth 30. Thenut .11 is nowthreaded onto the sleeve. Thiscompletes the assembly of the combination part 7 of the lock.

In order to cause the grooves 32, 35 and 37 in the discs, 25, 26 and 29to register they are turned by means of the knob 8. The projections '36,33, 34 and 31" permitting one disc to drive the other in the well knownmanner of combination locks; a certain number of degreesor spaces. Asindicated by'the graduated dial 12 with reference to thezero'line 13,first, in one direction of rotation, and then in the other. As forexample; to the right spaces; then to the left spaces and then to theright 36 spaces when all of the three grooves 32, and 37 are inalignment. The grooves are designed to receive the part 38 of the rightangular shaped piece 39 shown in Figs. 4 and 5. This piece is slidablymounted in the channels or grooves 40 and 41 which are attached to thecasing 4. The channel 40, it'will be observed, is longer than thechannel 41. In the channel 40 is located the arm 38'. In the channel 41is located the end 42 of the piece 39, see Fig. 5. Thispiece is retainedin place by means of the two small blocks 43 and 44 which are providedwith openings to receive cotter pins 45 and 46 which pass throughopenings in the side pieces of the channels 40 and41, see Fig. 3. Thepiece 39 is formed with an opening 47. In this opening is located aroller 48 by means of the pin 49. Also extending through this opening isthe inner end of the shaft 14. This shaft is formed with a shoulder 14against which rests the block 50 which is formed with an opening 51therethrough to I receive the shaft 14. This blocli is com posed of apiece of metal 52 whichis formed with a sleeve part 53. 54 is a piece ofinsulation having a collar portion 55 which receives the metal contactpiece 56. The piece 56 is therefore insulated from the shaft 14. Thepiece of metal 52 is formed with two recesses 52 and 52 .to receive theroller 48 for retaining the shaft 14 in two dififerent positions foropening or closing the circuit which will be ex laned.

For retaining the rol er seated in either one of these recesses andyetpermit it to pass.

7 to the casing 1 by means of the cotter pin 45,

see Figs. 3 and 5.

When the three grooves in alignment as shown in Fig. 2 the part 38' canthen be moved laterally or diametrically of the casing when" the roller48 passes from 7 one recess to another over the projection 52 to open orclose the electriccircuit as indi cated by the dotted line 'position 8of the knob.

Referring now to the electrical connec- 32, 35, and 37 are tions, 58 and59 designate two vbrushes which are attached to the casing 1 by means ofthe brackets 60 and 61 which are riveted thereto at 62. The bracketslareinsulated from the casing and from the terminal blocks 63 by the stripsof fiber or other material 64. The wire terminals 65are connected to theblocks 63 by the set screws 66, screws '67 serve to bind the brushes58and 59, the brackets. 60 and 61; the strips of insulation 64 firmlytogether.

The two nuts 68 and 69 on the threaded end of the shaft 14 serve toretain the pieces 52, 54 and 56 thereon.

The brushes 58 and 59 see Fig. 6, are in contactwith the piece ofinsulation 54, or in other words the circuit between the terminals 65 isopen. When the combination knob 8 is turned to fit the combination toalign the grooves 32, 35, and 37 of the discs, see Fig. 2, then the knob8 can be drawn outward into the dotted line position 8 to bring themetal piece 56 into contact with the two brushes 58 and 59, thus closingthe circuit as readily understood. It is also clear that the shaft 14which carries therecessed block 52 cannot be reciprocated to permit theroller 48 to pass over the projection 52 unless the grooves 32,35, and37 are in alignment to permit the part 38 to enter them all. In 7 anyother position the device is locked.

It will be observed that the tubular memher 9 is keyed to the graduateddial 12 at 12.

grooves, electric terminal brushes attached tothe casing, a contact parton the shaft for closing the circuit from one brush to the other, andspring controlled means for en terlng the aligned groovesto permit theshaft tov be moved in an axial direction as bring the contact part thebru h said means includinga movable member,;a

cesses and a projection between'the recesses, a partonthe movable memberforengaging the projection to causethe block tomove-the movable memberandthe part; which engages the projection to drop into one of therecesses for retaining the shaft in its axially adjusted position,contact brushes and a part on the shaft engaging the brushes when theshaft is axially moved.

3. In a combination lock switch device, a casing, channel membersthereon, a member having its ends located in the channel members, and ofa length to permit it to move laterally of the channels, an axiallymovable shaft, means thereon for engaging the memher for moving itlaterally in the channels when the shaft is moved axially, a pluralityof rotatable discs each having a groove in its edge, means for aligningthe grooves when the shaft is rotated to permit a part of the member toenter the aligned grooves, whereby the same can move laterally, electricterminals and a contact block on the shaft for engaging the terminals.

4. In a combination lock switch device, a casing, channel memberstherein, a member having its ends located in the channel members, and ofa length to permit it to move laterally of the channels, an axiallymovable shaft, means thereon for engaging the member for moving itlaterally in the channels when the shaft is moved axially, a pluralityof rotatable discs each having a groove in its edge, means for aligningthe grooves when the shaft is rotated to permit a part of the member toenter the aligned grooves, whereby the same can move laterally, electricterminals and a contact block on the shaft for engaging the terminals,and a spring device for retaining the laterally movable member normallydrawn towards the shaft.

5. In a combination lock switch device, a casing, channel membersthereon, a member having its ends located in the channel members, and ofa length to permit it to move laterally of the channels, an axiallymovable shaft, means thereon for engaging the member'for moving itlaterally in the channels when the shaft is moved axially, a pluralityof rotatable discs each having a groove in its edge, means for aligningthe grooves when the shaft is rotated to permit a part of the member toenter the aligned rooves, whereby the same can move lateral y, electricterminals and a contact block on the shaft for, engagingthe terminals,one of the discsihaving means thereon to permit it to beremovablyv'a'ttached to the shaft in dif- .ferent angular positions forvarying the .COInblIlfltlOILOf. the lock as described.

' 6.;In a combination lock and electric switch, a splinedshafha tubularmember, a-pr o ect1on on the member entering the spline for turning thesame, a sleeve having a: fixed position relative to thetubularmemberzandhaving a plurality of shouldered portions, "discsrotatable on the portions, spacing means for the discs, another disc"having means thereon forattachment to the tubular member in differentangular positions, each disc having a groove in its edge the latter discserving to operate the rotatable discs on the sleeve for aligning thegrooves, a member for entering the grooves when aligned to permit theshaft to move axially, and cooperating parts on the shaft and member tomove the member into the grooves when aligned but are inoperative whenthe grooves are not aligned.

7. In a combination lock and electric switch, an enclosing casing,electric terminals on the casing, contact members on the shaft, asplined shaft, a tubular member, a projection on the member entering thespline for turning the same, a. sleeve having a fixed position relativeto the tubular member and having a plurality of shouldered portions,discs rotatable on the portions, spacing means for the discs, anotherdisc having means thereon for attachment to the tubular member indifferent angular positions, each disc having a groove in its edge, thelatter disc serving to operate the rotatable discs on the sleeve foraligning the grooves, a member for entering the grooves when aligned topermit the shaft to move axially and open or close the electric circuit,and cooperating parts on the shaft and member to move the member intothe grooves when aligned but are inoperative when the grooves are notaligned, said partsincluding a roller on the member and r cessedportions on the shaft with a pro jection between the portion forengaging the roller to move the member into the grooves, and means forretaining the shaft in its adjusted position.

8. An electric combination lock comprising an enclosing casing, arotatable and slidable shaft in said casing, electric terminals attachedto the casing, a block on the shaft having a conducting and aninsulating part for engaging the terminals for closing or opening thecircuit, means for permitting the shaft to be moved axially for closingor opening the circuit, said means including a plurality of grooveddiscs, an angular shaped member having a part for entering the grooveswhen aligned by rotating the shaft, and another part engaging the blockshaft having a conducting1 for moving the member into- .the grooveswhereby the shaft may be moved axially for closing or opening thecircuit.

9.' An electric combination lock comprising an enclosing casing, arotatable and slidable shaft in said casing, electric terminals attachedto the casing, a block'on the and an insulating part for engaging t eterminals-for closing or opening the circuit, means for permitting theshaft to be moved axially for closing or opening the circuit, said meansincluding a plurality of grooved discs, an angular shaped member havinga open position.

gaging the block for moving the member it into thegrooves whereby theshaft may be moved axially for closing or opening the circuit, the blockhaving recesses and an elevatlon between the, same, and the memberhaving a roller which engages the elevation for moving thepart of themember into the grooves and for seating in the recesses toretain theswitch 'n its adjusted closed or CLARENCE H. NEIMYER.

VAUGHN s. GETTS.

